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Novel, potentially zoonotic paramyxoviruses from the African straw-colored fruit bat Eidolon helvum
Kate S Baker1, Shawn Todd, Glenn A Marsh
1Disease Dynamics Unit, University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. kf281@cam.ac.uk
Abstract:
Bats carry a variety of paramyxoviruses that impact human and domestic animal health when spillover occurs. Recent studies have shown a great diversity of paramyxoviruses in an urban-roosting population of straw-colored fruit bats in Ghana. Here, we investigate this further through virus isolation and describe two novel rubulaviruses: Achimota virus 1 (AchPV1) and Achimota virus 2 (AchPV2). The viruses form a phylogenetic cluster with each other and other bat-derived rubulaviruses, such as Tuhoko viruses, Menangle virus, and Tioman virus. We developed AchPV1- and AchPV2-specific serological assays and found evidence of infection with both viruses in Eidolon helvum across sub-Saharan Africa and on islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Longitudinal sampling of E. helvum indicates virus persistence within fruit bat populations and suggests spread of AchPVs via horizontal transmission. We also detected possible serological evidence of human infection with AchPV2 in Ghana and Tanzania. It is likely that clinically significant zoonotic spillover of chiropteran paramyxoviruses could be missed throughout much of Africa where health surveillance and diagnostics are poor and comorbidities, such as infection with HIV or Plasmodium sp., are common.
Insights
Two novel bat paramyxoviruses, Achimota virus 1 and Achimota virus 2, were identified in Ghana. Evidence suggests these viruses infect fruit bats across Africa and may pose a zoonotic risk.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bats harbor diverse paramyxoviruses with potential for zoonotic spillover.
- Urban fruit bat populations in Ghana exhibit significant paramyxovirus diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel paramyxoviruses from bats in Ghana.
- To investigate the prevalence and transmission of these viruses in bat populations.
- To assess potential zoonotic transmission to humans.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation and genomic sequencing.
- Phylogenetic analysis of novel rubulaviruses.
- Development of serological assays for Achimota virus 1 (AchPV1) and Achimota virus 2 (AchPV2).
- Serological surveys in Eidolon helvum populations across sub-Saharan Africa and Gulf of Guinea islands.
- Longitudinal sampling of bats for transmission studies.
Main Results:
- Discovery and characterization of two novel rubulaviruses: Achimota virus 1 (AchPV1) and Achimota virus 2 (AchPV2).
- AchPV1 and AchPV2 form a distinct phylogenetic cluster with other bat rubulaviruses.
- Evidence of AchPV1 and AchPV2 infection in Eidolon helvum across sub-Saharan Africa and Gulf of Guinea islands.
- Longitudinal data suggest AchPV persistence and horizontal transmission in bat populations.
- Possible serological evidence of human AchPV2 infection in Ghana and Tanzania.
Conclusions:
- Achimota viruses represent novel bat-derived rubulaviruses with a wide geographic distribution in African fruit bats.
- Virus persistence and horizontal transmission are indicated in Eidolon helvum populations.
- The findings highlight the potential for undetected zoonotic spillover of paramyxoviruses in Africa, particularly in regions with limited health surveillance.
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